PSC golf from The Growling Swan
Monday, April 21, Greenwood – Stableford
After a week off from Pattaya golf at The Growling Swan we were all keen to resume activities although for some of us we were probably all “golfed out” after a terrific week in the Kanchanaburi area.
We had 20 golfers signed up Monday but after a “no show” we were left with 19 and we assembled at the bar in readiness for our trip to the Greenwood Golf Course. We were happy to welcome Dick Braimbridge’s partner, Wan, who was playing with us for the first time, and also the return of Gerd Riedler & Karl Lang.
Fred Dineley, Gerd Riedler, Rita Zoebelli & Paul Moloney.
There were hardly any other golfers at Greenwood when we arrived so we knew it was to be a day of “millionaires golf” and we headed off to the C1 tee after being told we would be playing C & B nines, in that order.
It was very hot with not much breeze as our first four-ball teed off 5 minutes behind schedule at 10.05 am and we proceeded at a fair pace on a course which was in very good “nick” with lush fairways and greens that at times were rock hard but true.
The lack of patronage caused them to not open a couple of drink stops so I for one struggled to the C7 tee before being able to quench my thirst but we managed to soldier on, completing the round in four hours and twenty minutes. It had been a very enjoyable day with all four of us playing some steady golf and the company was excellent.
Mike Allidi once again showed the way with a terrific 70 gross to win the A Division with 41 points. With 2 golfers on 39 points a count back was required which resulted in “Big” Bill Steinman (21 back nine) taking second place from Sal Brizzi (20 point back nine) in third spot.
Division B winner was Graham “Grunter” Buckingham (last year’s Kanchanaburi overall winner but this year well down the field) with 37 points, three points clear of Thientong Charoenrung in second place and Alain “Inspector Clouseau” Taddei was third with 33 points.
The Growling Swan NAGA Award (awarded to the golfer who has the worst score on the day) was won by Dave Neal
Division A (0-14)
1st Mike Allidi (3) 41pts
2nd Bill Steinman (10) 39pts
3rd Sal Brizzi (6) 39pts
Division B (15+)
1st Graham Buckingham (22) 37pts
2nd Thientong Charoenrung (18) 34pts
3rd Alain Taddei (15) 33pts
Near Pins: B5 – Mike Allidi; C6 – Martin Todd
Long Putts: B9 – John Davis; C9 – Frankie Sharratt
Friday, April 25, Mountain Shadow – Stableford
ANZAC Day – 25th April – is probably Australia’s most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
Two years ago at The Growling Swan we held the inaugural Anzac Day Tournament so naturally the tradition must continue. Many of the 31 starters assembled at The Growling Swan at 0700 hrs for a short Memorial Service where “The Ode” was delivered, the Last Post was played and we all observed a minute’s silence to pay tribute to those brave men and women. It was then time to partake of the traditional rum & milk (just in shot glasses) and then wait for the ones that could not make the early service and we welcomed back Geri Crilly from Australia and Paul Marshall from Brisbane.
Graham Buckingham, Dave Neal & Mike Allidi.
After a 42 minute drive we arrived at the course and our first group, a three-ball, teed off 10 minutes early at 9.50 am in very hot conditions with very little wind and although there was a Thai 5-ball directly in front of us we proceeded at a steady pace for the early part of the round.
The golf course was in fine condition with very well maintained greens but whilst playing off the blue tees it was apparent that there would not be too many really good scores and that indeed turned out to be the case.
It was necessary to rest & drink a couple of times due to the heat and towards the end we were slowed down by the group in front who were also “suffering”. We managed to finish a very enjoyable round on this important day for Australia in four hours & fifteen minutes.
The winner of the Anzac Day Medal, for the second year in a row was Fred Dineley with a terrific 39 points. In Division A the winner was Gerd Riedler (18 point back nine) with 34 points on a count back from Ebrahim (16 point back nine) and Mike Gosden was third on 32 points. In fourth place came Phil Taylor with 31 points & Sal Brizzi was fifth with 30 points.
Rita Zoebelli continued her fine form and won Division B with 37 points and Gary Monley came second on 33, 4 points ahead of Graham “Grunter” Buckingham in third. With 3 golfers scoring 28 points another count back was needed which saw Lindsay Slender (16 point back nine) finish fourth from Andrew “Turtle” Allen (15 point back nine) in fifth spot and Ken Hole (14 point back nine) just missed out.
Anzac Day Trophy
1st Fred Dineley (24) 39pts
Division A (0-18)
1st Gerd Riedler (7) 34pts
2nd Ebrahim (14) 34pts
3rd Mike Gosden (10) 32pts
4th Phil Taylor (15) 31pts
5th Sal Brizzi (6) 30pts
Division B (19+)
1st Rita Zoebelli (23) 37pts
2nd Gary Monley (33) 33pts
3rd Graham Buckingham (22) 29pts
4th Lindsay Slender (24) 28pts
5th Andrew Allen (32) 28pts
Near Pins: 5th– Ebrahim, 8th – Graham Buckingham, 15th – Bill Steinman, 17th – Gerd Riedler
Long Putts: 9th – Ian Masterson, 18th – Bill Steinman
Long Drives: Kevin Waycott, Lindsay Slender
The Growling Swan NAGA Cap was won on a count back by Paul “Muncha” Moloney who accepted the cap in good spirit, even though he had declared himself the winner of the Anzac Day Medal 24 hours earlier – it may be better not to make those kind of predictions in the future Muncha!
It was then back to The Growling Swan where presentations were conducted and there was a large crowd there enjoying the excellent facilities and celebrating this important day in the Australian Calendar. We thanked Growling Swan Mine Host for sponsoring the day and also providing the delicious meal which was enjoyed by all.
Note: Growling Swan Golf, the home of friendly golf in Pattaya welcomes golfers of any persuasion – low & high handicappers alike, female golfers and beginners. We generally play Mondays & Thursdays, meeting at The Growling Swan (formerly The Bunker Bar) in Soi Chaiyapoon at 8.00 am with transport departing at 8.30 am. For bookings or more information please contact Peter on 0806 351 386 or email to [email protected].
